Propulsion Solutions News

MAN Energy Solutions reports it has received an order for three MAN 6L21/31DF-M (Dual Fuel-Methanol) GenSets capable of running on methanol in connection with the construction of a 7,990 dwt IMO Type II chemical bunker tanker.The dual-fuel engines will form part of a diesel-electric propulsion system on board the vessel with electrical motors driving twin fixed-pitch propellers via gearboxes; an onboard battery-storage system will optimize the use of the dual-fueled generators.

Damen Naval has contracted RENK to supply the gearbox systems for the new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigates.The Dutch shipyard is building four new frigates, two each for the Royal Netherlands Navy and the Belgian navy.The contract includes eight gearboxes that are part of the CODLAD (COmbined Diesel-eLectric And Diesel) propulsion system.RENK's Dutch subsidiary Schelde Gears will provide support in design and service activities.The first gearboxes are due to arrive for installation in October 2025…

New Dual Fuel, Electric+ (DFE+) concept, developed by ABB and MAN Energy Solutions, has been recognized by DNV as a more energy efficient alternative to current conventional designs for liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.DNV has quantified the gains that owners of LNG carriers could expect to achieve using the new DFE+ solution and found that it could help LNG carriers boost energy efficiency by up to 7.5%, therefore enabling greater emissions reduction.The number takes into account the smaller machinery space requirements with ‘a conservative estimate’ of 5% greater cargo capacity…

Marine Jet Power (MJP) announced it has been selected to supply its 850 DRB waterjets for a new fireboat being built for South Korea's Incheon Metropolitan City.The 36.2-meter fireboat, set to become the flagship vessel at the littoral of Incheon, will be built at Asian Shipbuilding in Korea for scheduled delivery in January 2025.It will be equipped with dual MJP 850 DRB waterjets. MJP will also provide a dynamic positioning system to enhance station-keeping capabilities during firefighting operations.MJP’s JetMaster 3 control system will govern the helm…

Automation technology and software company Emerson announced it has invested in Frugal Technologies, a Danish-based company that offers fuel optimization technologies that reduce energy use and emissions in shipping fleets.Frugal’s cloud-based propulsion optimization software uses AI technology to collect data related to dynamic conditions such as weather, cargo load and propulsion and develop optimal engine models for ships. Frugal estimates its propulsion solutions generate savings of up to 15% in fuel consumption…

Norway's Kongsberg Maritime and Turkey's BMA Technology have partnered up to support the supply of low-voltage electrical products and engineering services to Turkish shipyards.BMA Technology, based in the Gebze Organized Industrial Zone, east of Istanbul, is a technology company providing electrical system solutions for the marine industry.As part of the alliance agreement, BMA Technology will manufacture, assemble, and test Kongsberg Maritime low-voltage electrical products in its facility in Türkiye.

By now, it is a well-known fact that the marine industry contributes significantly to the greenhouse gasses causing climate change—and the impact is predicted to rise as the demand for shipping by sea increases. Action is needed now, and the majority of ship operators are adopting or planning zero-emission solutions to accommodate upcoming emission reduction targets.A key zero-emission technology that will be a critical enabler for decarbonizing the marine industry—now and in the future—is hydrogen fuel cells.Today…

Cruise operator Hurtigruten Norway has unveiled early concept plans for its first zero-emission ship.Initially announced in March 2022, under project name ‘Sea Zero,’ the ship is being touted as "the world’s most energy-efficient cruise ship". Tasked with developing energy-efficient and carbon-neutral technology solutions, Hurtigruten Norway and its consortium of 12 maritime partners and research institute SINTEF shared key findings following its first year of research."When we initially announced the ‘Sea Zero’ project over a year ago…

ABB on Wednesday introduced what it said was a concept representing "revolutionary propulsion system breaking new ground for efficiency in the marine industry, inspired by the dynamic motions of a whale’s tail." The innovative concept is called ABB Dynafin.The new propulsion concept features a main electric motor that powers a large wheel rotating at a moderate 30-80 rounds per minute. Vertical blades, each controlled by an individual motor and control system, extend from the wheel.

Norwegian shipbuilder Vard, part of Italy's Fincantieri, has signed new contracts to design and construct two commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs) for the UK-based offshore vessel owner North Star.The agreement also has an option for two additional ships, which could ultimately create a total of up to 200 new seafaring job opportunities across the CSOV fleet once operational, Vard said.North Star, which employs 1,300 crew and onshore personnel, has committed to delivering 40 offshore wind vessels by 2040.According to Vard…

Cummins announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Danfoss Power Solutions’ Editron division to partner in bringing a unique standard hybrid marine solution to the global maritime market.“This partnership is another step forward in Cummins’ Destination Zero strategy – our plan to reach net zero emissions across our products by 2050,” said Rachel Bridges, Global Marine Director, Cummins Inc. The respective products of Cummins and Danfoss’ are an ideal match, because both companies are focused on energy optimization, efficiency, and clean solutions.

Stadt Naval, headquartered in Gjerdsvika, Norway, signed a contract to design and supply complete electric propulsion solutions for series of new naval ships for an unnammed NATO country, the biggest  contract in the company's history.Stadt's technology operates in STEALTH mode with guaranteed no  electrical interference and no acoustic switching noise. This contributes to low underwater radiated noise (URN), and low signature for any vessel. In addition, the STADT technology has proven to have absolute minimum power loss…

Supporting hydrogen propulsion and foiling technologies development to reduce emissionsLogistics provider Marinetrans is now partner of the foiling hydrogen boat project of Delft Technical University. Together with other maritime companies Marinetrans now supports this diverse team of students to compete with a foiling hydrogen-power boat in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, a project to exhibit viable sustainable propulsion solutions.At Marinetrans, several emission-reduction schemes are currently unfolding…

My father was on the new construction team of the 1958 SS Rotterdam V, a visually iconic passenger liner that is presently a static hotel and event space in Rotterdam Harbor. When she entered service, her looks were much discussed and generally compared to her very graceful older running partner, the 1936 SS Nieuw Amsterdam II.I have pictures of both vessels in my office and I think the older vessel is the prettier vessel. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but, regardless…

Swedish company Gotlandsbolaget has unveiled the Gotland Hydrocat concept vessel, said to be the world's first large-scale, high-speed catamaran with fossil-free hydrogen propulsion.Slated to enter service in 2030, the high-speed vessel will operate between Gotland and the Swedish mainland, reducing crossing times to under three hours.The vessel is the second vessel in Gotlandsbolaget's Horizon series of high-speed passenger and cargo vessels, launched as a concept model in 2021 with the Gotland Horizon.

Marine News spoke to leaders at three North American naval architecture and marine engineering firms about some of the latest trends impacting their business today. Mike Fitzpatrick, president, Robert Allan Ltd.; Jeff Bowles, director, DLBA Naval Architects; and Rich Mueller, president and CEO, NETSCo., weigh in on topics such as digitalization, decarbonization and the naval architect talent pool.How do you view the maritime industry’s ongoing shifts in areas such as digitalization and decarbonization…

Wärtsilä was tapped to supply the propulsion machinery for four new fishing vessels being built at Karstensens Shipyard in Denmark. The 75 m-long purser/trawler vessels are being built for different owners. Two are for Icelandic fishing and processing companies, namely Skinney-Thinganes and Gjögur, while the other two are for Norwegian owners, Veibust Fiskeriselskap and Ronald Ervik.Each of these vessels will operate with the Wärtsilä 31 main engine linked to a Wärtsilä-supplied gearbox fitted with ‘take-me-home’ functionality.

Rarely does a vessel come along with the potential to radically change the way an industry operates, but one such vessel is set to hit the water in 2023.This new vessel, a towboat named Hydrogen One, is being developed by Louisiana-based Maritime Partners, the largest lessor of marine equipment in the U.S. It will be the first of its kind globally to run on emissions-reducing methanol-to-hydrogen generator technology—no diesel propulsion on board—as the maritime industry continues…

Volvo Penta has expanded its marine IMO Tier III range with new D13 solutions.This expands the range of marine commercial Volvo Penta D13 IMO III solutions for IPS-1200, IPS-1350, D13-900, and D13-1000. Each package exceeds the IMO III standards.The Volvo Penta D13 IMO III package upgrade boasts a power output of up to 735 kW for inboard and auxiliary applications and is approved for E3 and C1 cycles. The reduction in NOx and hydrocarbon (HC) will decrease from currently permitted…

U.K.-based Chartwell Marine is introducing its expanded range of offshore energy support vessel (OESV) designs ahead of Seawork 2022 this month.The new design range, spanning classes A to D outlined below, offers a foundation for the integration of advanced technologies and low carbon propulsion solutions, including hybrid and electric as well as BAR FOSS (Foil Optimised Stability System).Chartwell Ambitious: Chartwell Marine’s original flagship crew transfer vessel (CTV) design.

Dutch shipping firm Vertom has signed an agreement with Econowind, which provides wind-assisted propulsion solutions for seagoing ships, to install wind-assist VentiFoil units on Vertom's vessels.The Ventifoil has been described as a wing-shaped element using modern innovations in aerodynamics, creating high propelling force relative to its size. Smart suction is integrated in the wing, resulting in double the force of the Ventifoil, while reefing when needed. Ventifoils can be containerized inside a 40ft container or fixed…

Tore Hoem, adventures director at Hurtigruten Svalbard, has lived on Svalbard, the remote Norwegian archipelago just a few hundred miles from the North Pole, for more than two decades, long enough to witness the sea ice retreat significantly and more rain creep into the early and late snow season.These alarming effects of climate change are among key drivers behind the Hurtigruten Group’s sustainability efforts, including a new hybrid-electric excursion vessel recently put into service in Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s largest inhabited area.

U.S.-based shipping and logistics company Crowley and energy major Chevron are among investors backing maritime hydrogen technology company Zero Emission Industries (ZEI). California-based ZEI on Thursday announced the first close of its Series A funding round led by Chevron New Energies with additional investment from Crowley. The company, which produces marine-specific turn-key fuel cell power and hydrogen storage systems, said the funds will help it to roll out its next generation…